Do-it-yourself tile grout

Recommendation points

• Paving slabs, paving stones, wild stone
• Filling method
• Practical advice
• Porcelain stoneware, granite, marble, ceramic tiles laid outside (under a canopy)
• Filling method
• Practical advice
• Ceramic tiles inside dry premises (residential and public)
• Filling method
• Useful advice
• Mistake 1. Partial filling
• Mistake 2. Poorly mixed grout solution
• Mistake 3. Drawing towards the empty seam
• Two-component joint compound
• Application method
• Useful advice

The article describes the main methods of filling the joints of different types of tiles. You will learn how to grind seams with a regular and two-component compound, how they differ and how to prepare a simple compound for seams yourself. The article contains video tutorials, useful tips and tables with prices.

For different cases of use of tile or small-piece materials, there are different methods of filling joints. We will tell you how to quickly and correctly do this work on your site.

Paving slabs, paving stones, wild stone

These materials are placed, as a rule, on a dry cement-sand mixture (DSP) – punching. It makes no sense to use colored grout outdoors, since they will be discolored by precipitation and the sun. Therefore, the contact mixture itself remains the optimal composition..

Filling method

Spread dry gartsovka over the laid tiles and spread out with a broom. This is followed by a spillage of water. If significant relief is required (deep seam), the strait is made abundant. The only way to “tint” the seam is to add the color for the solution to the grinder and mix thoroughly in a mixer.

Practical advice

Add antifreeze additive to the water before spilling. It will give + 50% to the frost resistance of the seam.

Prices for antifreeze additives of Russian production

Porcelain stoneware, granite, marble, ceramic tiles laid outside (under a canopy)

In this case, the best option is the adhesive composition on which the tiles are laid. But this is no longer a cement-sand mixture, but a special cement-based glue. Pay attention to the fact that the composition is frost-resistant. When mixing the composition into water, you can also add an anti-freeze additive..

Filling method

The seams of tiles with an even surface (from 5 to 15 mm) are filled with a ready-made glue solution using rubber or metal spatulas. If, according to the design idea, it is necessary to deepen the seam (jointing), it is performed with a wire bent at the desired angle.

After laying the mixture in the seam and compulsory compaction with a spatula, simply go through the seam with a wire – the cut solution does not need to be removed immediately, since there is a risk of breaking the joining. After the solution dries, wash and shed the area.

Larger seams (from 15 to 30 mm) are filled with dry mix by analogy with paving slabs.

Practical advice

If the tiles are laid on a grill (for example, to save money), use frost-resistant glue for grouting. The materials mentioned in the subtitle do not adhere to cement-containing mixtures and the joint filled with an ordinary mortar (even with an additive) will delaminate after the first year of operation.

Prices for frost resistant adhesives for outdoor granite and marble

Ceramic tiles inside dry premises (residential and public)

A special ceramic tile grout is best suited for this work, which is factory produced and supplied dry or ready-made. The basis of the composition can be either cement or acrylic – this does not matter, since the seams will not be subject to chemical attack from water or steam.

You can prepare such a composition with your own hands by mixing 1 part of white cement and 3 parts of chalk – there will be a pure white color.

Filling method

Typically, the joints between tiles are between 3 and 10 mm and are filled with a rubber trowel. The mixture is prepared according to the instructions on the package and embedded in the seams.

If joining is required, it can be done with a piece of electrical wire or a special harness made of dense foam rubber. Many people simply bury a seam with a finger or the edge of a trowel. Professionals prefer to do this with foam soaked in water – this way the seam is perfectly smoothed out and it is possible to correct the smallest defects in tiles or laying with a layer of grout. After drying, remove the remaining grout first with a dry and then with a wet cloth.

Useful advice

Ready mix or dry mix is ​​popular and available, so many craftsmen are ready to give their own recommendations. There are several common mistakes that can ruin the finished result or affect the durability of the seam..

Mistake 1. Partial filling

Grouting error – incomplete joint, video

In this case, a thin layer of grout, “hanging” between the tiles, dries up after 1–2 years and spills out. To fix it, you have to clean all the defective seams. The second mistake in the video: too deep jointing – the inner edges of the black tiles are visible.

Mistake 2. Poorly mixed grout solution

Grout error on video – poorly mixed mortar

The pigment particles must be completely dissolved, do not expect them to dissolve by themselves during the filling process. The result is a multi-colored seam, which is clearly visible in the video..

Mistake 3. Drawing towards the empty seam

The error is shown in both videos. This seemingly small detail leads to uneven filling and semi-empty seams. Apply the new mortar towards the full joint and spread the mixture so that you can see on the sides of the trowel how the joint overflows.

Correct filling of the seam in the video

Prices for dry and ready-made grout for tiles

Two-component joint compound

This is the most expensive and most reliable type of grout. It is used for mosaic glass tiles in bathrooms, saunas, swimming pools and other critical work. According to the principle of operation, it is identical with epoxy glue – a hardener (acid) is added to the base substance (mixture of resins) and a chemical reaction occurs, as a result of which the composition turns to stone. The two components are stored separately and mixed immediately prior to seam placement.

Application method

Identical to the method of filling joints with conventional grout.

Useful advice

Prepare the mixture in minimal batches – working time 15 minutes. Remove liquid glue from the face of the tile as quickly as possible, as after hardening it will be very problematic to do this..

Prices for two-component joint grout

Acid and acrylic sealants are also used to fill the joints in bathrooms and showers. The manufacturer does not position them as grout, but they are quite convenient to apply and are resistant to fungus. In addition, the seam is flexible and elastic. Whichever method or material of grouting you choose, remember that in the first place is the observance of the manufacturer’s instructions.